MDD
Medical abbreviation · Mental Health & Psychiatry
| Stands for | Major depressive disorder |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MDD stands for Major depressive disorder, a mental health & psychiatry abbreviation.
Mood disorder diagnosed when at least five of nine symptoms, including depressed mood or loss of interest, are present most of the day for at least two weeks and cause significant impairment. Other symptoms include sleep and appetite change, fatigue, worthlessness, poor concentration and thoughts of death.
Example: MDD, recurrent, moderate; PHQ-9 17, no SI; start sertraline 50 mg and refer for CBT.
Usage notes
Often called clinical depression. In the US about 8 percent of adults have a major depressive episode in a given year, and women are affected roughly twice as often as men. Treatment options include psychotherapy, antidepressants, TMS, ECT and, for treatment-resistant cases, esketamine. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Specifiers describe features such as anxious distress, psychotic features or peripartum onset.
Related abbreviations
More mental health & psychiatry abbreviations
- IED – Intermittent explosive disorder
- IOP – Intensive outpatient program
- IPT – Interpersonal psychotherapy
- IVC – Involuntary commitment
- LAI – Long-acting injectable
- MAT – Medication-assisted treatment
- MDE – Major depressive episode
- MH – Mental health
- MI – Motivational interviewing
- MOUD – Medications for opioid use disorder
- MPD – Multiple personality disorder
- MSE – Mental status examination
See all 100 mental health & psychiatry abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.